“We knew Utah Valley would be one of the best teams in the conference,” said head coach Julie Woodward. “I was proud of our response after halftime and our adjustments. At this point and time in the season, you need people like Stephanie Spiekerman, who came in and scored the game-winner. I think that’s the sign of a good team, to not play great and get the result and overall I’m pleased.”
In the 40th minute, the Wolverines’ Sheridan Fox scored her first goal of the season on a long shot from the right side to just inside the left side of the goal. The goal, assisted by Sara Ranck, put UVU ahead, 1-0, going into halftime.
Taylor Ritzman (Holladay, Utah), on an assist by Madeline Racine (Sammamish, Wash.), would even the score in the 47th minute, 1-1, just after halftime.
Coming off the bench to start the second half, Stephanie Spiekerman (Seattle, Wash.) scored her first career goal on an assist by Stephanie Verdoia (Salt Lake City, Utah), which would prove to be the game-winner.
Seattle U had their first good chance to score in the opening three minutes of play when Verdoia was pulled down just outside the box. Kelly Beck (Tacoma, Wash.) took the resulting free kick, sailing it to Julia Moravec (Spokane, Wash.) for the shot, but it sailed just wide of the net.
Verdoia had another good chance in the 19th minute, taking the ball nearly halfway down the field, but the ball was saved by Utah Valley keeper Jessica Duffin.
The Redhawks led in shots,17-10, while Verdoia led with a team high six shots, three on goal.
In goal, Duffin made four saves while Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.) also made four in the win.
The Redhawks hit the road to face Grand Canyon on Friday, Oct. 3 and Bakersfield on Sunday, Oct. 5 before returning home the following weekend for a pair of doubleheaders with the Seattle U men’s team.
Stay tuned to all the latest on the team on GoSeattleU.com as well as Facebook (Seattle U Athletics; Seattle U Women’s Soccer), Twitter (@su_athletics; @seattleuwsoc) and Instagram (su_redhawks; seattleuwsoc).